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Published 13:15 20 Jul 2026 GMT
Donald Trump sent a clear message to his Canadian counterpart, Mark Carney, at Sunday's (July 19) FIFA World Cup Final.
The host nations' leaders were present at the soccer showpiece, where Spain emerged as 1-0 victors over Messi and his Argentina side, securing the nation's second World Cup win.
Ferran Torres was the hero, coming off the bench and winning the game with an extra-time half-volley past the on-form Emiliano Martinez.
But with the backdrop of what was likely Lionel Messi's final World Cup game and a post-final whistle brawl, Trump took the opportunity to speak to Carney about a US-related issue.
The President would go on to make headlines as he stayed on stage while Spain lifted the trophy, despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino's attempts to usher him off.
Trump also spoke to players, with some making it very clear that they were not fans of his.
Trump admitted that he spoke to the Canadian leader during the final, about smoke drifting into the US from Canada's severe wildfires.
He told Carney: “Our air’s being poisoned.”
He recalled their conversation after returning to Washington following the game's conclusion, which he and Carney attended alongside Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, as the host nation's leaders.
Speaking to the press, he explained: “It went good, but I told him you got to stop these fires from coming in and poisoning our air,
“Our air has been poisoned. I have a good relationship with Mark Carney, but you know, we got to stop the fires up there.
“If we can help them, we’ll help them. But maybe they should pay us some damages or something, or we should do some tariffs. But it was terrible. I mean, you had businesses closing.
“I’ve never remembered this happening. Over the last four or five years you saw it starting to take place. I never remembered it happening before,” he concluded.
Wildfires started to break out in Canada on July 6, when a summer thunderstorm caused over 1,000 lightning strikes across Canada and northeastern Minnesota.
This caused dry woodland to burst into flames, with smoke from this travelling south and clouding cities in the US northeast.
It has been reported that nearly 69,000 acres of forest have been burned at the time of writing, with the fires showing no signs of slowing down.
It increases the likelihood of harmful air pollution moving south, with smoke descending upon New York City before rain on Saturday helped to clear the air ahead of the final.
Trump had previously taken to Truth Social to speak about the issue, writing: “We are holding Canada responsible for the fact that they are not properly maintaining their Forests, and Brush therein, and the United States is being unnecessarily invaded by filthy, polluted, and unhealthy air, the quality of which is dangerous, and totally unacceptable.
“Canada has refused to engage in basic Forest Management and Debris Removal. This is Willful Negligence, and becoming a yearly occurrence, costing the United States Billions of Dollars, which cost of this pollution must of necessity be added to the TARIFFS Canada is currently paying.”
Last week, Carney pushed the Trump administration to treat climate change more seriously, saying: “We need a contribution from the Americans in the fight against climate change,
“Climate change is everyone’s responsibility, including the U.S,” he said at a press conference on Thursday.
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us3 min(s) read
sport3 min(s) read
Published 09:01 20 Jul 2026 GMT
A lip reader claims to know what Donald Trump said to each player following the FIFA World Cup Final between Spain and Argentina.
Spain emerged as 1-0 victors over Messi and his Argentina side, in a scrappy final that likely won't be remembered by many.
La Roja won't care too much, as an extra-time half-volley by substitute Ferran Torres sealed the European champions' second-ever World Cup win, 16 years after their 2010 victory.
Their opponents didn't pose too much of a challenge attacking-wise, as Argentina became the first-ever team to go 90 minutes without a shot in a World Cup final.
With that being said, La Albiceleste were scrappy and disciplined in defence, with this reckless style of play leading to Enzo Fernandez being sent off in second-half stoppage time.
But following the final whistle, not only was there a brawl between the two sides, but Trump reportedly repeated the same message to players from both sides.
The US leader was joined by FIFA president Gianni Infantino, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum in the medal ceremony at the New York New Jersey stadium.
He had greeted every player on stage and shaken their hands beforehand, exchanging words with them as they walked past, while Argentinian players Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero blanked his attempts at a handshake.
According to professional lip reader Nicola Hickling, who spoke to the Express via LipReader Ltd, Trump told each Spanish player: "You are a champ," before adding: "Amazing player."
Trump was jeered by many in the stadium as he walked out alongside Infantino, but he still had a prominent part to play in the medal and trophy presentation.
He also presented Spain with the coveted World Cup trophy, loitering on stage as Spanish captain Rodri lifted it with his teammates in celebration.
Despite efforts from Infantino to get the 80-year-old US President off the stage, Trump seemed determined to stay for the trophy lift before stepping off the stage.
While many backed Argentina and their attempt to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, they showed up with a defensive game plan.
In fact, the South American side wouldn't have an attempt on goal until extra time, as they looked to nullify Spain and defend their box for the entirety of the final.
Lionel Messi barely got a sniff in what was likely his last World Cup game, but Spain were made to work to find their winner in the second period of extra time.
Hope looked all but lost after Enzo Fernandez was shown a red card for a wild challenge on Spain's Pau Cubarsi in the 92nd minute of normal time, with Spain playing against 10 men for the entirety of extra time.
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes, who was booked during the game, could be seen having a scuffle with a few Spanish players after the final whistle, with cameras seeing him lunge at some opponents.
All in all, it wasn't a good look for Messi and co as staff had to get involved to break things up.
Published 13:04 20 Jul 2026 GMT
President Donald Trump had an unfortunate moment in the spotlight while he was presenting Spain with their winners' medals following the World Cup final on Sunday (July 19).
Spain were victorious over Argentina in the long-awaited conclusion to this summer's competition, winning 1-0 after extra time, thanks to a goal from substitute Ferran Torres.
It was heartbreak for Messi and his Argentina side, at what is likely the sporting legend's final hurrah at the World Cup.
Trump was very much involved in post-match activities, following a post-match brawl between the sides.
Trump spoke to players while handing out losers and winners medals, as some making it very clear that they were not fans of his.
But unsurprisingly, that wasn't the end of the controversy.
The President underwent a walk of shame, as he was booed while walking across the pitch after the final, at the New York-New Jersey stadium on Sunday.
As reported by HuffPost White House reporter S.V. Dáte, jeering could be heard from the crowd, with his coverage echoed on X.
He wrote: “Ambient crowd noise was about 78 decibels. Booing brought it to 84,” which is said to be around the same noise level as a diesel truck driving past.
The President would go on to make headlines as he stayed on stage while Spain lifted the trophy, despite FIFA President Gianni Infantino's attempts to usher him off.
Trump was seen next to the team as smoke machines and confetti cannons went off, before slowly making his way off stage.
SBS, an Australian broadcaster, joked about the moment, which many perceived to be a moment of attention-seeking.
A commentator from the network can be heard saying: “They can edit him out of that,” which the Spanish team seemingly did on social media.
Social media users described Trump as an "embarrassment" following the bizarre moment, with another writing: "Editing Trump OUT is the best idea I’ve heard yet! Let’s just edit him right out of everything."
Spain emerged as 1-0 victors over Messi and his Argentina side, in a scrappy final that likely won't be remembered by many.
La Roja won't care too much, as a stoppage-time half-volley by substitute Ferran Torres sealed the European champions' second-ever World Cup win, 16 years after their 2010 victory.
Their opponents didn't pose too much of a challenge attacking-wise, as Argentina became the first-ever team to go 90 minutes without a shot in a World Cup final.
With that being said, La Albiceleste were scrappy and disciplined in defence, with this reckless style of play leading to Enzo Fernandez being sent off in second-half stoppage time.
Spain will be pleased with the result, which sees a second star being added to their badges, while their captain Rodri was named player of the tournament.
Published 16:51 29 Apr 2025 GMT
Published 10:23 07 May 2025 GMT
Published 09:38 20 Jul 2026 GMT
After Argentina’s devastating defeat in the World Cup final, two players were spotted snubbing the US President during the medal ceremony.
Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero were spotted not-so-subtly skipping a handshake with Donald Trump before shaking the hands of the two other hosting heads of state, Mexico’s President Claudia Sheinbaum and Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney.
In protest of either the result or the widely documented alleged corruption that has plagued the competition, Manchester United centre-back Martinez decided not to shake hands with either FIFA boss Gianni Infantino or Trump during Argentina’s silver medal ceremony.
Unsurprisingly, Infantino also promised Trump the job of handing the victorious Spain captain Rodri the gold trophy.
While the champions, who won 1-0 in extra time, were celebrating their second World Cup win, some Argentina players pounced on their competition and viciously attacked them in anger.
Moments after the final whistle, the losing team’s Leandro Paredes launched himself at Spain’s Gavi. Then, Nahuel Molina appeared to throw a punch at one of the Spain subs running on to join in with his team-mates’ celebrations.
Tensions were particularly high as the game was set to be legendary soccer player Lionel Messi’s last appearance for his country in an international competition, so he was hoping to go out with a bang.
The 39-year-old was even seen in tears looking at the crowd after the final whistle was blown. However, it was the team’s head coach who appeared the most emotional, even cutting a press conference short as he could not hold back the tears.
Lionel Scaloni, who guided the team to victory at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, questioned his future as the team’s most important player.
He said: “I feel the need to think because I don’t know if I’m going to be able to do something as big as this.
“We would have to talk about it. My place is everyone’s dream place. We tried until the very last moment to give our all as a coaching staff, the players too, and I think it’s only fair to consider it. This place is wonderful.
“I never imagined I’d be here. To move forward, a lot of things are needed. Above all, we need to reset, to form a group like this, which is unlikely to ever be formed again. It breaks my heart. I’m sorry.”
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